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Jim McDowell: Crusading journalist hated by thugs exposed in his stories
Friday, 27 November 2009
enlargeThere are no pretensions with Jim McDowell, the burly, shaven-headed Northern Editor of the Sunday World. In his unmistakeable gravelly Belfast accent he describes himself simply as “a hack”.
Maybe, but a very courageous one. His reporting takes him into the subterranean world of paramilitary gangsterism and drug dealing which many in Northern Ireland would like to pretend does not exist.
He sets a fearless example of a true investigative journalist, exposing the sordid underbelly of life here.
This has exposed him to danger and once again this week he was the target of thugs when he was savagely beaten up in front of Belfast City Hall.
The 60-year-old suffered injuries to his head and body after being punched and kicked by the gang — but he’s been there before and it hasn’t stopped his fearless exposure of criminals.
He can tell you that he has had enough official notifications from the PSNI — and before that the RUC — of paramilitary threats to his life to paper the walls of his home.
This has meant him and his family having to be constantly aware of their vulnerability and take appropriate precautions.
Everyone is well aware that not all such threats are idle.
His colleague Martin O'Hagan was shot dead in September 2001 by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force and a fortnight ago Jim's car was vandalised when he attended a court hearing in Craigavon of men charged in connection with Mr O’Hagan’s killing.
The crusading work of the Sunday World led to its Belfast offices being firebombed in 1999 and loyalists tried to enforce a ban on the sale of the newspaper in their Shankill Road heartland.
Jim in many ways typifies the public stereotype of the investigative journalist.
He is happier sharing a pint — or three — with his many contacts than engaging in deskbound writing which is the lot of most in today's profession.
And he is not afraid to confront his enemies directly.
In his book Godfathers, which detailed Northern Ireland's drug trade, he tells of meeting one drug baron in a city centre street who — in a chilling forerunner of Wednesday night's attack — accused the journalist of getting him shot and wounded. He challenged Jim to a fight but backed down when he realised that Jim was more than happy to oblige.
Ironically his nearest brush with death had nothing to do with paramilitaries or criminals.
He was a passenger in a helicopter which crashed during a corporate hospitality trip leaving him with severe back injuries.
Jim started his journalistic career in Century Newspapers, owners of the News Letter and now defunct Sunday News, which he later edited.
A committed trade unionist and member of the NUJ, he led many disputes with management, finally severing connections with the paper after a strike in the 1980s.
He then founded the Ulster Press Agency with two former colleagues, a move which later led to an association with the Sunday World and his current editorship.
The former rugby player is a proud Belfast man – hailing originally from the Donegall Pass area of the city – and has made numerous television programmes about the city.
Ironically one of those programmes featured the City Hall, where he had his latest brush with violence.
One thing’s for sure, however, Wednesday’s attack won’t stop Jim from going back.
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Comments
45 Comments
How are we supposed to feel secure in Belfast when thugs can do this outside the city Hall and walk away? What message does this send out to other scumbags? They can get away with it. Disgusting.
Something wrong here ladies and gentlemen.
These guys shoulda been hammered into the back of a police car and penalised with a prison sentence - sinple as that.
Posted by Joe | 28.11.09, 15:59 GMT
Jim will never back down to the scum in NI who think they have a God given right to treat decent people like dirt and sponge off society. Speedy recovery Big Jim, don't let the bastards wear you down.
Seamus
Posted by Seamus | 28.11.09, 06:37 GMT
God bless you Jim and never give up
only people like yourself will stop the rot
get well soon big man
Posted by kevin | 28.11.09, 06:21 GMT
I am astounded that hacks jump to defend him when most of you probably don't read his paper and have very substantial reasons for not doing so.
This piece is without balance
Posted by Paul | 27.11.09, 17:08 GMT
Get better soon Jim. I'm guessing the reason why other people didn't intervene and help is cos in this mad country of over equality, it is the doo gooder who would end up in court for attacking a minority group (of low life nobodies).
Posted by Belfast Citizen | 27.11.09, 14:24 GMT
More police on the beat!
Posted by RMS | 27.11.09, 13:31 GMT
Jim, as always you have the courage to stand up to thugs & let the public know what is really going on in Belfast & they don't like it.
I sure I speak on behalf of 'Tankards' old & new and wish you a speedy recovery.
Front studs as always, big lad!
Posted by Red Sox | 27.11.09, 12:50 GMT
"He sets a fearless example of a true investigative journalist"
The case that Hugh Orde recently brought against his newspaper would suggest otherwise.
Posted by terry | 27.11.09, 11:52 GMT
Citizen, that's a bit of a bizarre statement that you don't 'condone journalists'. Bit of a blanket statement don't you think? I assume you mean the small number of journalists who print things you don't agree with and not free speech itself. Presumably you also don't mean those thousands of writers worldwide who fearlessly (and in full knowledge of the fact that they could be killed) put their names to articles condemning fascists, racists and murderers. These are people who are prepared to lay down their lives in defence of the rights of their fellow man. Or do you think they just do it for kicks? You seem to have missed the irony that your own comments are published on this website (and under a pseudenom) right beside the words of one of the journalists you disdain. There are good and bad reporters, true, but their work and existence is the very thing that allows you to have your say here. Perhaps you should have another wee think before you make such silly statements.
Posted by Graham Smyth | 27.11.09, 11:51 GMT
Jim is a proud and courageous man and I and many victims of the Omagh Bomb are proud to be counted amoungst his many friends.
Posted by Victor Barker | 27.11.09, 11:27 GMT
Shame on any of you who saw this happen in front of you and did not go to help. I can guarantee you I would have.
All it takes for evil to prosper is for decent people to stand idly by.
Posted by BenjiBear | 27.11.09, 11:14 GMT
It was pure badness on the part of the people who did this of that there is no doubt. This gentleman did not deserve it. Having said that, from personal experience, journalists can print what ever they want. I will never condone violence but also will I never condone journalists - who lets face it have at least the means to hi-light their plight, not so some of the people they write about.
Posted by Citizen | 27.11.09, 10:36 GMT
Does not surprise me that this happens in Belfast in broad day light. I mean the police are only about when it suits them. And the public are only too aware that to get involved is not worth it.
Posted by what comes around goes around | 27.11.09, 09:47 GMT
I got jumped when i was 16 one summer in 2006 at around 7 o'clock after the cinema, Dublin Road, just a bit on down. Towards city hall, in daylight. A group of around 7 - 10, girls and boys, for no particular reason, were looking for a fight. Approached us as we walked, pushing and starting to mouth. Shortly after that they began kicking and throwing punches before i knew it i'd had a good bit of hair ripped out. Plus whatever change that fell out of my pocket. Pathetic lol. Then dragged across the road, some drivers stopped and helped. He took us to the train station, and gave me money for my fare home, then walked my girlfriend at the time to her bus stop. What a nice man. Never reported it though, didn't figure it would do anything. I wasn't supposed to be in Belfast..as i don't live there.
At least someone helped me.
Get well soon Jim.
Posted by justagirl. | 27.11.09, 02:14 GMT
Good Luck Jim! Get well soon.
Your attackers are pure scum. Nazis! Loyal to nothing but themselves. Criminal Mafia, they are pathetic specimens and they know it.
Posted by Cliff | 26.11.09, 23:40 GMT
And where were the Police? Surprised they weren't immediately on hand given the amount of food they could get at the market. Or maybe they thought the thugs were armed and they sloped back to the police station to wait for back-up. Hope Jim is over the pain and shock soon.
Posted by Bob | 26.11.09, 21:29 GMT
Jim, you're not just a brave face, but a journalist who is sadly no stranger to this type of violence. Seems only journalists put their names online. Have a good recovery and hope to see you around in 2010 and before/beyond. Courage wins!
David Watson
Posted by David Watson | 26.11.09, 21:03 GMT
Why do these thugs think they can get away with it? Oh yes, its because they do! One of the main reasons they get away with it, is because many of you, yes you: are more interested in sectarian point scoring, rather than fixing the problem and standing up to the thugs.
It does not matter what affiliation the thugs have, all that matters is that they are causing serious harm to your country.
Posted by Stuart McCarroll | 26.11.09, 18:05 GMT
get well soon jim! please remember that belfast is not controlled by the psni. if you are in any doubt, say the wrong thing to the wrong people and watch them do their crimes in broad daylight and in front of everyone. had these thugs ben doing 35mph in a thirty zone, they would have been caught.
lord help ireland, no one else will
Posted by peter | 26.11.09, 17:17 GMT
Gutless cowards. Their day will come.
Posted by Eoin Kenny | 26.11.09, 16:50 GMT
45 Comments